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Why Land Rover charged me R 14,000 for repairs!

The down-side of being in IT is having absolute no regard/knowledge of anything mechanical. Anything beyond filling up a car/changing a tire exhausts my mechanical capabilities.

It was with sheer frustration that my Land Rover Defender Td5 (2002 model) caved in last week with "oil in the injector harness" which (according to dealership) was a massive problem.

Working as a consultant where you are not making money if you can not work on site for clients, mobility is key and was forced to pay R 14,000 to have repairs done on my car. Recent research over the weekend has shown me, that the same could have only cost about R 2,000.00.

Read the story on my blog and the workaround any TD5 (Defenders are not the only model affected by this) people can take. It is a disgrace, that unknowing customers get shafted like this. I hope my experience will help some unsuspecting Land Rover owners out there.

If you know people with Land Rovers, please share this information, as I am not the only one who has been charged in excess of R 14,000.00 for unnecessary repairs.

I think all dealerships charge hectic when it comes to out of motor plan repairing of cars. They nail guys badly with the prices. We never send our cars for service or anything to the dealerships onces the motor plan is over. We know a mechanic whose serviced all our cars and will continue to do so because dealerships charge too much. Find a mechanic who services your type of car dude and check if his good and send it to him. As for dealerships I stay away.

I know exactly what you feel like! Same situation... IT consultant. My BMW 318i E36 (1995 model) had suffered a blown head gasket. Ended up paying R17,000 to repair in 2007! Eventually discovered I could have got the exact same done with genuine parts at a reputed repair center (that doesn't have a BMW sign on thier front door) for +-R5000!

If your warranty/service plan is expired, always shop around for prices before you send your car in for major work. The dealership will always try to convince you that the best option is to give it in to them. I'm one of those suckers that bought that bull****, at a premium!

I know exactly what you feel like! Same situation... IT consultant. My BMW 318i E36 (1995 model) had suffered a blown head gasket. Ended up paying R17,000 to repair in 2007! Eventually discovered I could have got the exact same done with genuine parts at a reputed repair center (that doesn't have a BMW sign on thier front door) for +-R5000!

If your warranty/service plan is expired, always shop around for prices before you send your car in for major work. The dealership will always try to convince you that the best option is to give it in to them. I'm one of those suckers that bought that bull****, at a premium!

true. while I am more than happy to support companies making a profit, it grinds me when they rip off people. Business ethics are lacking - it's like going to a medical professional who advises you of an unnecessary procedure to coin money.

I don't know how this people can sleep at night and don't seem to have any conscience.

I think all dealerships charge hectic when it comes to out of motor plan repairing of cars. They nail guys badly with the prices. We never send our cars for service or anything to the dealerships onces the motor plan is over. We know a mechanic whose serviced all our cars and will continue to do so because dealerships charge too much. Find a mechanic who services your type of car dude and check if his good and send it to him. As for dealerships I stay away.

couldn't agree more. We also stay away from dealerships and use this guy in Randburg that does an awesome job at half the price.

I know exactly what you feel like! Same situation... IT consultant. My BMW 318i E36 (1995 model) had suffered a blown head gasket. Ended up paying R17,000 to repair in 2007! Eventually discovered I could have got the exact same done with genuine parts at a reputed repair center (that doesn't have a BMW sign on thier front door) for +-R5000!

If your warranty/service plan is expired, always shop around for prices before you send your car in for major work. The dealership will always try to convince you that the best option is to give it in to them. I'm one of those suckers that bought that bull****, at a premium!

Our Beemers get serviced at Tune Tech. He does a good job and knows his work. Maybe some day when I have enough cash I can tell him to add a T66 Turbo just for fun because he does specialise in modifying beemers.